Keeper accessory for various types of conventional tools

ABSTRACT

A keeper accessory for use on typical, conventional tools of assorted types and sizes including socket, box, end wrenches, screw drivers, pliers, etc. The magnetic accessory is held in its normal operating position without need for alteration in the tool or interference with its use with the size of fastener for which the tool was designed and relying on either an interference fit with a surface of the tool or finger pressure applied to wrap a soft metal tang firmly attached to the accessory about the tool or its handle.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,731,722 Carr 1 1 May 8, 1973 54] KEEPER ACCESSORY FOR VARIOUS 3,517,714 6/1970 Desbarats ..s1 12s x TYPES OF ONVENTI N TOOLS 2,964,812 12/1960 Cook ..248/206 A x Inventor; Harry A. Carr, 2934 El Caminito,

La Crescenta, Calif. 91214 Filed: Oct. 8, 1971 Appl. No.: 187,685

US. Cl. ..145/50 DA, 81/125, 335/185 Int. Cl. ..B25b 15/00 Field of Search ..248/206 H; 335/285,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Stillwagoxi .s1/125 x Mclntosh ..248/206 A X Primary Examiner-George Harris Attorney-William Douglas Sellers et a1.

57 ABSTRACT A keeper accessory for use on typical, conventional tools of assorted types and sizes including socket, box, end wrenches, screw drivers, pliers, etc. The magnetic accessory is held in its normal operating position without need for alteration in the tool or interference with its use with the size of fastener for which the tool was designed and relying on either an interference fit with a surface of the tool or finger pressure applied to wrap a soft metal tang firmly attached to the accessory about the tool or its handle.

19 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented May 8, 1973 3,731,722

INVENTOR. f/A QQY A CAR/Q ATTORNEYS.

KEEPER ACCESSORY FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF CONVENTIONAL TOOLS This invention relates to keeper accessories for tools, and more particularly to a simple, inexpensive, highly versatile keeper accessory readily attachable to a wide range of conventional tools including socket wrenches, end wrenches, box wrenches, screw drivers, pliers and the like.

Mechanics and technicians have frequent need for assembling and disassembling fastener parts in crowded, restricted or inaccessible locations. Various proposals have been made for tools having provision to hold the fastener part firmly in place and having the capability of either releasing or attaching itself to the fastener and retaining it captive while being maneuvered into and out of assembly position. Many attempts have been made heretofore to meet these requirements but such proposals are subject to serious shortcomings and have proven generally unsatisfactory for various reasons. Among these many shortcomings is the fact that prior devices have been complex, bulky, excessively costly and require specially constructed tools for utilizing the same. Additionally and of particular importance, prior devices have limited application to wrenches or tools of a particular type and are quite unsuitable for embodiment in tools of a different type. Thus, the retainer might be advantageous if used on a screw driver but quite unsuitable for use on nuts, cap screws, bolts and other types of fasteners requiring tools of a different type.

To avoid the foregoing and other shortcomings of prior keeper devices, there is provided by this invention an exceedingly simple, rugged and highly versatile keeper readily attachable to a wide variety of tools without need for alteration of the tool or the use of special fastening devices or other tools to install or remove the keeper. Its versatility is illustrated by the fact that it is easily attached to and used with screwdrivers and pliers as well as with all types of wrenches including socket, end and box wrenches. Typically the accessory comprises a permanently magnetized component formed of powdered magnetic material incorporated in a resilient binder and either shaped to have an interference fit with a wrench socket or having a soft metal tang bonded thereto and readily curled about an adjacent portion of the tool head to safeguard against accidental displacement therefrom. Many socket wrenches have deep wells readily accommodating a ring of the magnetic material and along which the keeper can be pressed with a slightinterference fit without interfering with the normal use of the wrench socket. Likewise, end and box type wrenches as well as pliers, tongs and other tools can utilize the keeper which is held safely mounted against one face of the tool head by an attached tang of soft metal readily wrappable about an adjacent portion of the tool. The keeper may also be formed as either a continuous or split ring of resilient magnetic material for assembly about the ends of punches, screw drivers, and the like tools and held in place thereon in part by its magnetic properties and in part by friction or by the gripping action of a deformed metal tang.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved, low cost, inexpensive, highly versatile keeper accessory for attachment to conventional tools of a wide variety without need for alteration of the tool and without need for tools to effect attachment and detachment of the keeper.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a flexible resilient magnetic keeper readily attachable to a tools head without interference with the use of the tool and materially increasing the usefulness of the tool in restricted environments and capable of maneuvering fasteners of magnetic material into and out of assembly position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple, compact, inexpensive keeper for holding fastener devices to a tool of any conventional type including screw drivers, pliers, tongs, end wrenches, box wrenches and socket wrenches.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a vertical view partly in section showing one preferred embodiment of the invention keeper in use to hold a hexagonally headed bolt in a socket wrench;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a second embodiment of the keeper in place in a socket wrench;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the accessory per se shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view partly in section of another typical embodiment of the keeper accessory;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the FIG. 5 accessory from its tool head engaging side prior to assembly to a tool;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view showing another embodiment of the invention held to the side of a screwdriver bit and in use to retain a screw on the bit;

FIG. 8 is a sideelevational view of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of a screw driver bit having another variant of the invention keeper there shown in cross section and in use to hold a screw to the bit.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown one preferred embodiment of the invention keeper accessory, designated 1.0, installed in the well 11 of a typical wrench socket 12. Keeper 10, as there shown, comprises a split ringlet of powdered magnetized material held bonded together by elastomeric binder material, such. as a suitable resilient plastic composition. Ringlet 10 has a radial split at 14 wide enough to permit the ringlet to be contracted sufficiently for insertion into the inner end of well 11. This assembly operation is easily accomplished by grasping the ringlet between the fingers and thumb and squeezing the slit 14 closed while the ringlet is being inserted into the open end of the wrench and shoved to the bottom of well 11. Upon release, the ringlet expands into firm gripping relation with the points of the socket wrench.

The keeper 10 is preferably magnetized axially of the ringlet so that the north pole is at one end and the south pole is at the other. However, in certain applications superior results are achieved by magnetizing the particles of the keeper by well known techniques so that the north pole is located on one radial half of the ringlet and the south pole on the other half.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, keeper 10a is there shown ascomprising a ringlet having a hexagonal periphery sized to have an interference fit with well 11 of the socket wrench 12. This embodiment operates in accordance with the same principles as those of FIGS. 1 and 2, it being understood that the magnetic keeper has more than ample strength required to retain a hexagonal fastener, such as the cap screw 15, captive within the wrench socket. This socket is detachably supported at the end of any conventional wrench handle having a noncircular shank fitting within the complementally shaped opening 16 at the handle mounting end of the socket.

Referring to FIGS. and 6, there is shown a third embodiment of the invention keeper, designated b, comprising a ringlet 18 formed of the same material described above in connection with the magnetic keepers of FIGS. 1-4. This ringlet is sized to fit over and rest against one end face of a wrench head, such as the box wrench head 19 integral with the wrench handle 20. Suitably bonded to the outer face of magnetic ringlet 18 is a plaque of soft ductile magnetic material 21. As herein shown by way of example, plaque 21 is of H-shape with one pair of tangs 22,22 extending from the diametrically opposite sides of ringlet 18. Tangs 23,23 projecting from the other end of the plaque are bendable into snug embracing relationship about handle of the wrench and supplement the downtumed tangs 22 in holding the keeper firmly assembled against one end of the wrench head. The 12-point socket 25 in the head of this wrench is of conventional design and its full height is available for engagement with the head of a fastener in the customary manner. As is made clear by FIG. 5 the major central portion of the keeper fits flush against the outer end of the fastener face and cooperates with the end of the wrench in completing a magnetic flux path through the keeper and through the fastener holding it captive within the wrench.

Although an open end wrench is not shown in the drawings it will be readily apparent that keeper 10b can be assembled in the same manner against one face of an end wrench and that it functions in precisely the same manner as described in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6 to hold a fastener captive while being maneuvered into and out of assembly position.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown a further embodiment of the invention keeper, designated generally 10c, assembled against one flat face of the bit portion 28 of screw driver 29. Keeper 100 includes a slab of the same magnetic material described above and having bonded to its outer face a soft metal plaque 31 provided with tang 32 readily pressed by finger pressure into conformity with the underlying portion of shank 29. The lower end 34 of the magnetic keeper is preferably positioned to lie flush against the outer end 35 of a typical screw 36.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 depend upon the expansion characteristic of a slightly oversize accessory to hold the accessory assembled to a tool head. However, it will be understood that the accessory ringlet is equally suited to be retained in its assembled position on a tool head byreason of frictional engagement therewith either alone or as supplemented by its magnetic attraction properties. This frictional gripping action can be achieved either by expansion or contraction, an example of the latter principle being illustrated in FIG. 9. Magnetic keeper 10d there shown comprises a ringlet of the same resilient magnetized material described above but formed with a rectangular bore 38 sized to have a snug interference fit over the end of the bit portion 39 of screw driver 40. The opening 38 is preferably somewhat smaller than the thickness of the screw driver bit with the result that the ringlet is expanded slightly as it is forced over the end of the bit until its outer end 42 is spaced rearwardly of the outer end of the bit and so as to lie flush against the outer end 43 of a typical screw 44. Preferably the outer diameter of the keeper does not exceed the maximum diameter of the screw head with the result that the keeper in no way restricts the use of the tool head. As will be obvious, the keeper may be adjusted slightly axially of the bit as necessary to accommodate the bit to screws having kerfs of different depths.

Although the invention keeper is not shown in a suitable configuration for attachment to tool heads of other designs, it will be readily apparent from the foregoing that any one of the several forms shown, with or without slight variations, are suitable for attachment to tool heads of a wide variety of types and designs other than those illustrated without departing from the principles of this invention. Such tools include pliers,

tongs and wrench heads of assorted shapes and sizes. Owing to the use of a resilient binder for the magnetized particles the keeper proper will not chip, shatter, crack or break but if it does become worn or damaged in use for any reason, it is readily replaced with a new one at small cost and assembled to the tool head without need for tools or fasteners.

While the particular keeper accessory for various types of conventional tools herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A magnetized keeper accessory installable on a tool head without need for modifying the tool head and effective to hold a fastener captive on the tool head while being maneuvered into and out of an assembly position, said keeper accessory comprising a flexible ringlet of permanently magnetized material bonded together by elastomeric binder material, said ringlet having its inner generally annular surface spaced remotely from magnetic material when mounted on a tool head, said ringlet being permanently magnetized in such manner that the magnetic flux emanates normal to one end face thereof which end face is positioned to engage a fastener, said ringlet being mountable on a tool head with said one end face positioned for direct surface contact with the juxtaposed end surface of a fastener engaged by a tool head and the other end face being spaced remotely therefrom.

2. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory includes means for holding the same removably mounted on a tool head with one pole only closely adjacent one axial end of a fastener when engaged by the tool head.

3. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said means for holding the keeper assembled to a tool head includes soft binder material of said ringlet in juxtaposition to a surface of the tool head and placed in stress during forced assembly of the keeper accessory to the tool head thereby to provide an interference fit effective to hold said accessory detachably assembled to the tool.

4. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 3 characterized in that said accessory embraces a substantial portion of the exterior of a tool head.

5. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 4 characterized in that said accessory is confined substantially to exterior surfaces of said tool head.

6. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory is adapted to be seated within the inner end of a tool head socket.

7. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 6 characterized in that said accessory is non-circular peripheral surface sized to have an interference fit with the interior walls of a socket type tool head.

8. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory is so dimensioned along one sidewall surface thereof relative to a juxtaposed tool head surface on which said accessory is installable that the resiliency of said elastomeric binder is effective to hold said accessory firmly but readily removably mounted on a tool head.

9. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said ringlet includes a mounting member of ductile magnetic material bonded to a surface thereof spaced from a fastener engaging surface of said accessory and including a portion deformable in a manner to hold the accessory firmly but removably assembled to a tool head.

10. A keeper'accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said means for holding said ringlet assembled to a tool head comprises a plaque of ductile metal bonded thereto and projecting beyond the periphery thereof, and the protruding edges of said plaque being readily bendable to embrace a portion of a tool head to hold said accessory assembled thereto.

11. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 10 characterized in that the protruding edges of said soft metal plaque include tangs readily deformed to embrace a portion of a tool.

12. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 10 characterized in that said plaque is defon'nable to hold said accessory assembled flush against one end face of a wrench.

13. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 10 characterized in that said plaque is deformable to hold said accessory assembled flush against one face of the bit of a screw driver tool.

14. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory comprises an axially thick ringlet of magnetized particles bonded together with an elastomeric binder and sized to have a snug fit on a tool head with the opening therethrough in general alignment with the axis of a fastener engageable with the tool head while being applied to or removed from its assembly position.

15. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 14 characterized in that said ringlet is split radially thereof and havin a relaxed diameter differing from the diameter 0 the tool head for which said accessory is designed whereby said accessory is adapted to have an interference fit therewith.

16. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 14 characterized in that the OD. of said ringlet is sized to have an interference fit with the ID. of a tool socket.

17. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 14 characterized in that the opening through the center of said ringlet is sized to have an interference fit with a tool head immediately adjacent the fastener engaging portion thereof and effective to hold a fastener firmly in place against said tool head.

18. A keeper accessary as defined in claim 17 characterized in that the central opening through said ringlet is non-circular in shape and generally complemental to the shape of the bit portion of a screw driver and having a snug frictional fit thereover.

19. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said magnetized material comprises permanently magnetized particles bonded together. 

1. A magnetized keeper accessory installable on a tool head without need for modifying the tool head and effective to hold a fastener captive on the tool head while being maneuvered into and out of an assembly position, said keeper accessory comprising a flexible ringlet of permanently magnetized material bonded together by elastomeric binder material, said ringlet having its inner generally annular surface spaced remotely from magnetic material when mounted on a tool head, said ringlet being permanently magnetized in such manner that the magnetic flux emanates normal to one end face thereof which end face is positioned to engage a fastener, said ringlet being mountable on a tool head with said one end face positioned for direct surface contact with the juxtaposed end surface of a fastener engaged by a tool head and the other end face being spaced remotely therefrom.
 2. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory includes means for holding the same removably mounted on a tool head with one pole only closely adjacent one axial end of a fastener when engaged by the tool head.
 3. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said means for holding the keeper assembled to a tool head includes soft binder material of said ringlet in juxtaposition to a surface of the tool head and placed in stress during forced assembly of the keeper accessory to the tool head thereby to provide an interference fit effective to hold said accessory detachably assembled to the tool.
 4. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 3 characterized in that said accessory embraces a substantial portion of the exterior of a tool head.
 5. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 4 characterized in that said accessory is confined substantially to exterior surfaces of said tool head.
 6. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory is adapted to be seated within the inner end of a tool head socket.
 7. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 6 characterized in that said accessory is non-circular peripheral surface sized to have an interference fit with the interior walls of a socket type tool head.
 8. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory is so dimensioned along one sidewall surface thereof relative to a juxtaposed tool head surface on which said accessory is installable that the resiliency of said elastomeric binder is effective to hold said accessory firmly but readily removably mounted on a tool head.
 9. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said ringlet includes a mounting member of ductile magnetic material bonded to a surface thereof spaced from a fastener engaging surface of said accessory and including a portion deformable in a manner to hold the accessory firmly but removably assembled to a tool head.
 10. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said means for holding said ringlet assembled to a tool head comprises a plaque of ductile metal bonded thereto and projecting beyond the periphery thereof, and the protruding edges of said plaque being readily bendable to embrace a portion of a tool head to hold said accessory assembled thereto.
 11. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 10 characterized in that the protruding edges of said soft metal plaque include tangs readily deformed to embrace a portion of a tool.
 12. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 10 characterized in that said plaque is deformable to hold said accessory assembled flush against one end face of a wrench.
 13. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 10 characterized in that said plaque is deformable to hold said accessory assembled flush against one face of the bit of a screw driver tool.
 14. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory comprises an axially thick ringlet of magnetized particles bonded together with an elastomeric binder and sized to have a snug fit on a tool head with the opening therethrough in general alignment with the axis of a fastener engageable with the tool head while being applied to or removed from its assembly position.
 15. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 14 characterized in that said ringlet is split radially thereof and having a relaxed diameter differing from the diameter of the tool head for which said accessory is designed whereby said accessory is adapted to have an interference fit therewith.
 16. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 14 characterized in that the O.D. of said ringlet is sized to have an interference fit with the I.D. of a tool socket.
 17. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 14 characterized in that the opening through the center of said ringlet is sized to have an interference fit with a tool head immediately adjacent the fastener engaging portion thereof and effective to hold a fastener firmly in place against said tool head.
 18. A keeper accessary as defined in claim 17 characterized in that the central opening through said ringlet is non-circular in shape and generally complemental to the shape of the bit portion of a screw driver and having a snug frictional fit thereover.
 19. A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said magnetized material comprises permanently magnetized particles bonded together. 